NI Assembly blocks same-sex marriage petition

Northern Ireland is the only part of the UK without marriage rights for gay couples

An attempt to legalise same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland has failed.

Unionists voted down a Sinn Féin motion at Stormont's Assembly that called on the power-sharing ministerial Executive to legislate.

A petition of concern tabled by the Democratic Unionist Party ensured the motion would be defeated after a majority of unionists failed to back the change.

Northern Ireland is the only part of the UK without marriage rights for gay couples.

The issue sparked impassioned debate, with protests outside the legislature and verbal clashes between campaigners in favour of or opposed to the change.

A total of 95 members voted, 42 in favour, including all nationalists. Three unionists out of 50 voted Yes.

Amnesty International has warned of a likely legal challenge.

Former Ulster Unionists Basil McCrea and John McCallister voted Yes.

DUP Finance Minister Sammy Wilson defended his party's veto and said colleagues would use it again to defeat "reckless" legislation.

Sinn Féin South Down MLA Caitriona Ruane said: "Attitudes in Ireland are changing because people do not want to see people discriminated against.

"The gay community has said enough is enough, they are standing up for themselves and their communities."

She claimed young people were turning to suicide because of the taunts. "If they don't have an alternative voice to the vitriolic gay bashing they will internalise it," she said.

"There is no room for sitting on the fence on this. It is about fighting for all our children's rights."

Church leaders had urged Assembly members to vote against the legislation, with the Catholic Church asserting marriage was between a man and a woman.

However, Patrick Corrigan, Amnesty's Northern Ireland programme director, said: "States may not discriminate with regards to the right to marry and found a family, on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity."

DUP North Down MLA Peter Weir said: "The DUP was right to put down a petition of concern against this motion, which no major party included within their manifesto.

"However, the petition of concern was not even necessary as the motion was defeated by an overall majority."

He said there were a huge number of issues that the Northern Ireland Assembly should be focusing upon, including growing the economy and building a better future for everyone.

Mr Weir said: "It is time that those pushing a redefinition of marriage agenda, which has now failed effectively on three occasions, should accept the will which has been expressed."

John O'Doherty, director of the Rainbow Project health organisation for gay men and a rights campaigner, said he would continue to press for change.

He said: "This will be won slowly so we appreciate every vote that we got. We are disappointed with the outcome.

"It has always been a difficult march towards equality here, but we will continue to fight the good fight."

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